Vote yes for self-government (Sue Wailoo)
Two years ago Prime Minister David Cameron refused to allow a third question of a “devo-max” option on the Scottish referendum ballot paper.
Why should we now believe promises of unspecified special powers from him or any of the other last-minute Westminster politicians and their big business interest collaborators currently patronising, hectoring and emoting over us?
More austerity measures and cuts to welfare and public spending are already on the way so under the Westminster formula funding for a dependent Scotland will also be slashed, with the obvious knock-on for our NHS. But that will be alright then because we will have “the powers” to raise additional taxes to compensate. No, we are not that stupid.
Whoever holds onto the purse-strings decides what is spent and how. Only independence will guarantee Scottish people control over what happens in Scotland. And that is really what is at the heart of the question on the ballot paper on Thursday.
Do we want to govern ourselves or let others do it for us?
Sue Wailoo
Setter,
Burra.
Vernon Young
It is up to Scotland if they wish to pay more, or less to the NHS. Roughly they have the same amount of money per head of population, plus another £1400 per head, per year over and above the rest of the UK.
If the Scottish government wish to give free university tuition and free care in care homes, it is up to them how the juggle their money. However, I understand that currently the NHS in Scotland is £450 million short, so it seems that the NHS North of the Border is paying for free university tuition and care home fees
John Tulloch
Vernon,
Care homes are not free in Scotland, they run at about £1000 a week (average) in Shetland, not sure about the Scottish average, a bit less, I think.
“Personal care”means hairdressers, taxis to the shops and a few bits and bobs like that, nothing to do with residential care home fees.
I heard on one of the debates the other night that recent NHS spending in rUK has risen by a few percent, while in Scotland, it has fallen by 1percent, over the same period.
Anybody going to challenge those figures?
Johan Adamson
I am confident about tomorrow, because I cant think of a single logical reason why anyone would vote no. Ok, maybe others will say better together, but better together for whom? I want my lasses to have full control over Scotland’s (and their own) finances and feel that they live in a positive and democratic country. And being 20th in the world, that country has nothing to fear financially.
Kevin Learmonth
Millions into NHS or billions into Trident? It’s a tough choice.
Martin Tregonning
But at last count, Kevin, the SNP have made promises to spend the money saved from Trident 4 times over, and that doesn’t include investing it in the NHS.
Johan Adamson
We will be able to vote on our own budgets and a new government shortly in an independent Scotland
John Tulloch
Johan,
Holyrood already decides what to spend on the NHS, yet no-one has
challenged the story that rUK NHS spending has gone up by a few percent over the last few years while Scottish NHS spending has FALLEN by one percent.
The Yes campaign claims staying in the Union will threaten the existence of the NHS which is well into the realms of humbug!
Unless we discover the story is untrue, perhaps, someone knows the exact figures?
Robert Wishart
Nationalists seem to think “self-government” will cure all ills. The term “self-government” is almost without meaning. Greece is “self-governing” within a currency union. It also has 27% unemployment and has suffered whopping “austerity cuts” – forced on it by others. If “self-government” per se is the answer we are asking the wrong question. Say NO to nationalism.
Wayne Conroy
If you want to see an impartial analysis on our most likely financial future under independence you need only look toward The Institute For Fiscal Studies.
http://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/7366
It seems to me the only way we can have any kind of security in our financial future we must vote no. A yes vote is only going to lead us to higher taxes, less public spending and an uncomfortably shaky future!